A Spanish feast for La Chaine des Rotisseurs Cebu

History truly repeats itself. La Chaine des Rotisseurs Cebu chapter was established in October 1993, and Amparito Lhuillier was its founding president. It had its formal induction and diner amical at the then Cebu Plaza Hotel in March 1994.

Fast forward to 2006. The chapter has expanded its membership. Amparito Lhuillier, to this day, still holds the position of Bailli de Cebu, and the recent Chaine des Rotisseurs informal party that carried a Spanish theme, from its festive décor to its exceptional gastronomic ingredients, was held at Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, the former Cebu Plaza Hotel where Hans Hauri, general manager, and Canadian executive chef Luke Gagnon employed their skills and talents.

The evening started with cocktails where members and their guests, while sipping a selection of fine Spanish wines, gathered to set the festive mood. When the exact hour arrived, the doors across the hall swung open to reveal a beautifully decorated scene that simulated a vineyard with an abundance of grapes dangling from trellises overhead, complete with a true-to-life mural painting of the Walls of Avila, bringing together the whole ambiance into one lively Spanish fiesta.

Sitting on long tables, the dishes were uniquely presented on an elevated ledge. One after another they came. It seemed endless. The menu included carpaccio of cod and salmon with lemon and spices, rabbit terrine with prunes, long fin tuna with olives and capers, and squid with summer salad. The main course was whole roasted suckling lamb, quail in chocolate sauce, medallions of beef tenderloin wrapped in Serrano ham, fish in salt crust and stuffed pig’s trotters. The pièce de résistance consisted of the delicious desserts of candied fruits, deep-fried custard slices, sweet pancakes, Galician almond tart, and St. Teresa’s egg yolk confection. One fabulous feast!

Excellent dining is a result of passion, knowledge, and impeccable standards, an art that requires an eye for perfection and quality.

It was a most enjoyable evening and everyone was in agreement that the Chaine des Rotisseur, synonymous with culinary excellence, stood by its impeccable reputation.